European Commission Directorate-General for Information Society and Media
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| European Commission Directorate-General for Information Society and Media | |
|---|---|
| Name | Directorate-General for Information Society and Media |
| Formed | 1999 |
| Preceding1 | Directorate-General for Telecommunications and Information Society |
| Dissolved | 2012 (merged into DG CONNECT) |
| Jurisdiction | European Union |
| Headquarters | Berlaymont, Brussels |
| Parent agency | European Commission |
European Commission Directorate-General for Information Society and Media was a Directorate-General of the European Commission responsible for policy and regulation in the fields of information and communication technologies, digital media, and electronic communications. It operated at the intersection of EU institutions such as the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union, and the Committee of the Regions, engaging with stakeholders including the European Investment Bank, the European Court of Auditors, and national regulatory authorities like BEREC members. The Directorate-General influenced major initiatives that involved actors such as the European Telecommunications Standards Institute, the International Telecommunication Union, and industry players including Ericsson, Nokia, and Deutsche Telekom.
History
The Directorate-General emerged from earlier Commission services dealing with telecommunications and information society matters rooted in the Bangemann report era and successive initiatives of the 1990s European Union. It consolidated activities that had been distributed across services influenced by directives such as the Telecommunications Regulatory Package and by programs like MEDIA Programme and Information Society Technologies (IST). Over its lifetime the Directorate-General intersected with policy milestones including the Lisbon Strategy, the Digital Agenda for Europe, and regulatory reforms prompted by cases before the European Court of Justice and scrutiny from the European Parliament Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. In 2012 it was reorganized and merged into the Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology (DG CONNECT) as part of a Commission-wide reshuffle under President José Manuel Barroso.
Mandate and Responsibilities
The Directorate-General's mandate encompassed formulation of EU policy on electronic communications, spectrum management, audiovisual media services, and information society technologies. It drafted proposals for instruments such as directives and regulations to be negotiated with the Council of the European Union and European Parliament. It implemented programs managed in cooperation with the European Commission Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, the European Commission Directorate-General for Enterprise and Industry, and the European Commission Directorate-General for Competition. The office also worked with the European Regulators Group and national authorities like ARCEP (France) and Ofcom (United Kingdom) on harmonization of markets and enforcement of single market rules.
Organizational Structure
The Directorate-General was organized into units that mirrored policy areas: electronic communications and networks, digital economy and content, media policy, spectrum and postal services, and research and innovation coordination. Senior leadership reported to the European Commissioner responsible for Information Society and Media, a portfolio at various times held by Commissioners such as Viviane Reding and Neelie Kroes. Operational interaction occurred with entities including the European Data Protection Supervisor, the European Agency for Network and Information Security (ENISA), and the European Standardisation Organisations like CEN and ETSI.
Key Policies and Initiatives
Prominent policies advanced by the Directorate-General included the Digital Agenda for Europe, initiatives on broadband rollout championed in coordination with the European Investment Bank, and measures to stimulate the audiovisual sector including support for the Creative Europe predecessor mechanisms. It guided the development of frameworks for mobile broadband, net neutrality debates involving stakeholders such as Google, Microsoft, and Facebook, and interoperability initiatives referencing standards from 3GPP and IETF. It also managed cultural and media programs that interfaced with the European Film Academy and the European Broadcasting Union.
Legislative and Regulatory Role
The Directorate-General drafted legislative proposals such as revisions to the Telecoms Package and instruments addressing cross-border audiovisual services under the Audiovisual Media Services Directive. It coordinated with the European Commission Directorate-General for Competition on state aid issues related to broadband subsidies and with the European Court of Justice on interpretations of EU law. The DG engaged in trilogues with the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union and interfaced with national parliaments during the subsidiarity scrutiny process. It advised on spectrum allocation that involved international coordination with the International Telecommunication Union.
Funding and Programs
The Directorate-General administered and co-managed funding streams and competitive programs including research calls under the Seventh Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, components later integrated into Horizon 2020, and media support schemes linked to the Creative Europe framework. It oversaw grants, public procurement, and pilot projects, collaborating with financial institutions like the European Investment Bank and implementation bodies such as the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency. Programmatic work funded projects involving companies like Siemens and consortia built around standards work with ETSI.
Collaboration and International Relations
The Directorate-General engaged in bilateral and multilateral cooperation with third countries and international organizations including the United States Department of Commerce, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, and the World Intellectual Property Organization. It participated in dialogues on transatlantic data flows with the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and trade talks involving the World Trade Organization. Partnerships extended to regional bodies such as the Council of Europe and to research networks spanning institutions like the European Research Council and national research councils.